Rail section for fixing a stretched web, false partition such as a false ceiling or false wall comprising same

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a rail section for false stretched fabric partitions, said section ( 3 ) comprising at least a groove ( 10 ) defined by two lateral walls ( 5, 7 ) and a base wall ( 6 ), said groove ( 10 ) being designed to contain at least an edge of the stretched fabric ( 1 ) after it has been mounted into the rail ( 3 ), said section being in one single piece and comprising a joint ( 12 ) for retaining the edge of the stretched fabric ( 1 ) in said groove ( 10 ), said joint ( 12 ) being made of a material having a flexibility different from that of the material constituting the walls ( 5, 6, 7 ) of said groove ( 10 ). The invention also concerns false stretched fabric partitions, such as false ceilings or false walls, said fabrics being stretched in a frame obtained by assembling such sections

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of stretched falseceilings and walls.

[0002] A large number of embodiments using such false ceilings arealready known in the prior art.

[0003] By way of examples, reference can be made to the patentapplications in France published under the following numbers: 2 767 851,2 751 682, 2 734 296, 2 712 006, 2 707 708, 2 703 711, 2 699 211, 2 699209, 2 695 670, 2 691 193, 2 688 849, 2 685 036, 2 645 135, 2 630 476, 2627 207, 2 624 167, 2 623 540, 2 619 531, 2 597 906, 2 611 779, 2 592416, 2 587 447, 2 561 690, 2 587 392, 2 552 473, 2 537 112, 2 531 012, 2524 922, 2 475 093, 2 486 127, 2 523 622, 2 310 450, 2 270 407, 2 202997, 2 175 854, 2 145 147, 2 106 407, 2 078 579, 2 002 261, 1 475 446, 1303 930, 1 287 077.

[0004] By way of examples, reference can also be made to the followingdocuments: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,058,340, 4,083,157, EP-A-643 180, EP-A-652339, EP-A-588 748, EP-A-504 530, EP-A-338 925, EP-A-281 468, EP-A-215715, EP-A-089 905, EP-A-043 466, WO-A-94/12741, WO-A-92/18722.

[0005] Reference can further be made to the following patentapplications in France originating from the Applicant: 2 736 615, 2 756600, 2 727 711, 2 712 325, 2 699 613, 2 695 670, 2 692 302, 2 658 849.

[0006] The materials known in the prior art for manufacturing falsestretched ceilings or walls are most often polymers provided with alarge number of qualities such as in particular fire resistance, airtightness, that is being dust-proof and damp-proof, and ease ofmaintenance.

[0007] False ceilings obtained by means of such materials canincorporate heat insulants, spot lights or various lighting elements, aswell as ventilation or aeration openings or sprinklers.

[0008] As said false ceilings are dismountable, any intervention can bemade in the plenum chamber of an air heater.

[0009] The polymers for stretched ceilings known in the prior art,regardless of whether they are translucid or opaque, possiblymass-tinted, matt, lacquered, marbled, suede or satin lustre, can thusbe used both in an industrial and hospital environment, for collectiveequipment, laboratories or dwellings.

[0010] The lacquered finishing makes it possible to obtain a mirroreffect used in shopping centres, a matt finishing appearing similar to aplaster aspect being most usually used for conventional decorations.

[0011] In a prior technique, the stretched fabrics or sheets on the roofor wall were definitively fixed by means of points or staples.

[0012] The conventional stretched false ceilings currently include:

[0013] firstly, a horizontal frame fixed onto the upper portion of thewalls of a room, said frame being an external rail formed by sectionsjoined end to end,

[0014] secondly, a web stretched horizontally inside said frame.

[0015] This arrangement enables the stretched ceiling to be dismantled.

[0016] Keeping the web in place with respect to the rail frame isobtained by various means, some examples of same being given below.

[0017] According to a first type of embodiment, the rail comprises aU-shaped groove defined by two walls, one of the two walls having a liporientated towards the bottom of the groove, hooks being placed on theperiphery of the web positively being anchored on this lip.

[0018] As regards this first type of embodiment, reference can be madeto the document FR-A-1 303 930.

[0019] According to a second type of embodiment, the rail includes anU-shaped groove defined by two walls, one of the latter comprising ashoulder having one portion situated towards the bottom of groove toform a stop.

[0020] As regards this second type of embodiment, reference can be madefor example to the documents FR-A-1 475 446, FR-A-2 002 261.

[0021] According to a third type of embodiment, the rail is a flatsection, the web being squeezed between said section and the wall onwhich said section is fixed.

[0022] As regards said third type of embodiment, reference can be madefor example to the document FR-A-2 734 296.

[0023] According to a fourth type of embodiment, the rail is providedwith means forming a fitting and tension clamp.

[0024] As regards this fourth type of embodiment, reference can be madefor example to the documents FR-A-2 699 211 and FR-A-2 537 112.

[0025] According to a fifth type of embodiment, the rail is providedwith a groove to which hook-shaped elements cling in the way of afish-hook and integral with the web.

[0026] As regards this fifth type of embodiments, reference can be madefor example to the documents FR-A-2 630 476, EP-A-388 925.

[0027] Within the context of stretched ceilings of the prior art,regardless of means used for maintaining tension of the web on the railframe (stops, cramps, fish-hooks, clamping, latching . . . ) the railsare conventionally made of extruded polymer or an aluminium alloy.

[0028] The stretched false ceilings are moreover mostly mounted with theweb fully stretched horizontally.

[0029] In certain particular embodiments, as the web is stretched on ahorizontal rail frame fixed to the walls of a room, deformations of thestretched web occur, as described in the documents FR-A-1 515 260 orEP-A-281 468.

[0030] Considering that in certain embodiments the stretched ceilingshad the drawback of showing the lower portion of the rail used to fixthem, certain installers have offered the use of complex sections onlypartially masking said rail.

[0031] Thus, for example, the document EP-A-338 925 describes a railcomprising a recess defined by two vertical wings of different heights,namely a first wing of smaller height terminating towards the bottom bya shoulder extending horizontally in the direction of the second wing,and a second wing of greater height; a “fish-hook” integral with theedge of a fabric able to be engaged between the two wings so as to takesupport on the shoulder of the first wing, said fabric of the stretchedceiling thus being deviated upwards so as to penetrate into the recesswhilst taking support and being deviated against the lower extremity ofthe second wing.

[0032] As specified in said prior document, a clip or finishing cover isprovided to cover the lower portion of the rail. In other words, thecomplex section described in the document EP-338 925 remains visible aslong as a finishing cover is not installed, which proves to be a longand tedious operation.

[0033] The document FR-2 619 531 describes in relation to a falseceiling or stretched false wall a rigid PVC rail provided with a recessdefined by two vertical wings of different heights, namely a first wingof small height next to a wall and ending towards the bottom by a mobileperforated tongue extending in an oblique direction towards the highersecond wing; a fish-hook integral with the edge of a fabric able to beengaged between the two wings so as to take support both on the secondwing and the perforated mobile tongue, said fabric of the stretchedceiling being thus deviated upwards so as to penetrate inside the recessby coming to rest and being deviated against the lower extremity of thesecond wing.

[0034] The rail described in the document FR-A-2 619 531 has a largenumber of drawbacks. In particular, it remains visible after it has beenmounted. Having regard to its small tapered section, the mobile tonguedoes not allow the fish-hook to be properly held in place. Increasingthe tongue section would a priori reduce this problem but would make itmore difficult to place the forked-tie.

[0035] The document FR-A-2 597 906 describes, as regards a false ceilingor a false stretched wall, a rail provided with a recess defined by twovertical wings of different heights, namely a first wing of very smallheight close to a wall and a second wing of greater height; a forked-tieintegral with the edge of a fabric able to be engaged between said twowings so as to fasten onto the second wing, said fabric of the stretchedceiling being thus deviated upwards so as to penetrate inside the recesswhilst taking support and being deviated against the lower extremity ofthe second wing.

[0036] The rail described in the document FR-A-2 597 906, just likethose of the documents FR-A-2 619 531 or EP-A-338 925, remains visibleand, so as to mask the slit formed between the edge of the fabric andthe wall on which the rail is fixed, a finish profile needs to beprovided.

[0037] A first object of the invention is to provide a rail section fora false wall, said section able to be qualified as being invisible afterthe stretched fabric is mounted, this invisibility being obtainedwithout fitting any type of finishing cover, said section ensuring aquick and safe fitting of the false partition fabric and having moreovera sufficiently simple construction so as to remain inexpensive.

[0038] With this aim in view, the invention relates according a firstcharacteristic to a rail section for stretched fabric false partitions,said section comprising at least one groove defined by two lateral wallsand a base wall, said groove being intended to contain at least one edgeof the stretched fabric after it has been mounted in the section, saidsection being made of a single piece and comprising a joint forretaining the edge of the stretched fabric in said groove and being madeof a material having a flexibility differing from that of the materialconstituting the walls of said groove.

[0039] The cross section of said groove has a general U, V, pseudo-U orpseudo-V shape, the extreme portions of the lateral walls of the grooveopposite the base wall of the groove defining an opening at leastpartially blocked by the joint for keeping the edge of the fabricstretched.

[0040] According to a first type of conception, the joint comprises asingle lip projecting from one of the lateral walls of said groove,known as joint support wall, said lip comprising an internal faceopposite the base wall of the groove and an opposing external face.

[0041] According to a first series of embodiments, the sections of saidfirst type of conception have the following characteristics, possiblycombined:

[0042] the lip joint is an approximately flat joint, the internal faceof the lip being approximately parallel to its external face,

[0043] the single lip of the joint extends approximately perpendicularlyor along an angle of several degrees and about 65° with respect to thesupport wall.

[0044] the free edge of the lip is placed inside the groove.

[0045] the free edge of the lip is approximately in support against thelateral wall of the groove placed opposite the joint support wall,

[0046] the single joint projects from the extreme part of its supportwall.

[0047] According to a second series of embodiments, the sections of thefirst type of conception have the following characteristics, possiblycombined:

[0048] the lip of the joint comprises an internal face turned towardsthe base wall of the groove and an external opposing face, the internalface and the external face of the joint not being parallel to eachother,

[0049] the internal face of the single lip of the joint extendsapproximately perpendicular to its support wall or along an angle ofseveral degrees and about 65° with respect to its support wall,

[0050] the free edge of the lip is placed inside the groove,

[0051] the free edge of the lip is substantially in support against thelateral wall of the groove placed opposite the joint support wall,

[0052] the single lip projects from the extreme portion of its supportwall,

[0053] the external face of the single lip extends approximatelyperpendicular to the lateral walls of the groove.

[0054] According to a second type of design, the joint comprises twolips, projecting from one of the lateral walls of said groove, known asa joint support wall, namely a first lip known as a support lip and asecond lip known as a masking lip, the internal face of the first lip,turned towards the base wall of the groove, being slanted with respectto the joint support wall, the external face of the second lip oppositethe base wall of the groove being approximately perpendicular to thejoint support wall.

[0055] According to a first series of embodiments, the section of thesecond type of design has the following characteristics, possiblycombined:

[0056] the two lips project from the extreme portion of the jointsupport wall,

[0057] the free edge of the first lip is in support against the lateralwall of the groove placed opposite the joint support wall,

[0058] the internal face of the first lip is slanted by an angle ofseveral degrees and about 65° with respect to the joint support wall.

[0059] According to a second series of embodiments, the sections of thesecond type of design have the following characteristics, possiblycombined:

[0060] the joint comprises two lips, each lip projecting from onelateral wall of said groove and comprising an internal face opposite thebase wall of the groove and an external face opposite,

[0061] said two lips are approximately symmetrical with respect to aplane perpendicular to the base wall of the groove and placed halfway tothe two lateral walls of the groove,

[0062] the internal face of at least one of the two lips is slanted byan angle of several degrees about 65° with respect to the supportlateral wall of said lip or extends approximately perpendicularly to thesupport wall of said lip,

[0063] the external face of at least one of the two lips extendsapproximately perpendicularly to the support wall of said lip.

[0064] The lateral walls of the groove are made of an approximatelyrigid material selected from a group including metal alloys and rigidpolymers, the joint being made of an approximately flexible materialsuch as a flexible polymer.

[0065] The sections mentioned above can be obtained by co-extrusion orduplicate moulding of different materials, namely a first materialconstituting the approximately rigid walls of the groove, and a secondmaterial constituting the joint.

[0066] In one type of embodiment, the groove is made of rigid PVC-basedmaterial, possibly recycled, the joint being made of a flexible PVC.

[0067] In one particular embodiment, the section comprises an externalwing from which perpendicularly projecting is a core bearing onprojection an internal wing, said wing being approximately parallel tothe lower section of the external wing, the internal wing and the lowersection of the external wing constituting the lateral walls of saidgroove, the core of the section constituting the base wall of saidgroove, the upper portion of the external wing comprising a C-shapedgroove able to receive means for assembling the two portions of thesections joined end-to-end.

[0068] According to a second aspect, the invention concerns false wallscomprising a stretched fabric fastened along its edges to a support ontothe walls of a room, said support comprising a rail formed of portionsof sections as mentioned above, the edge of the fabric being providedwith an excess thickness in support against the internal face of thejoint.

[0069] These false walls, used as false ceilings, may be fixed so thatthe groove of the rail is oriented downwards, the lateral walls of thegroove being approximately vertical, a first lateral wall of the groovebeing mounted close to a wall and the second lateral wall of the groovebeing situated towards the inside of the room, the joint extendingprojecting from the lower extreme part of the first lateral wall, theexcess thickness of the fabric edge being forcefully introduced upwardsbetween the free edge of the joint and the second lateral wall of thegroove so that the excess thickness takes support against the internalface of the joint and against the internal face of the second lateralwall of the groove, the fabric stretched horizontally thus beingdeviated upwards so as to penetrate into the groove of the section,whilst taking support on the lower extreme edge of the second lateralwall of the groove.

[0070] In one embodiment, the two lateral walls of the groove haveidentical heights, the external face of the joint being placedapproximately perpendicular to said lateral walls, and so on in thecontinuity of the stretched fabric.

[0071] In another embodiment, the two lateral walls of the groove havedifferent heights, the lateral first wall of the groove close to thewall having a smaller height than the second lateral wall, the externalface of the joint being slanted so as to constitute a continuitysolution between the extension plane of the stretched fabric and thelower extremity of the first lateral wall.

[0072] According to one type of embodiment, the external face of thejoint is made of a material having a colour, tint and brillianceidentical to or coordinated with those of the stretched fabric, theremaining of the section having a standard colour, tint and brightness.

[0073] To limit the risks of damaging the fabric when it is placed, thelower extremity of the second lateral wall of the groove under which thestretched fabric takes support is rounded.

[0074] In one particular embodiment, the false wall includes twohorizontally coplanar stretched fabrics, the edges of said stretchedfabrics being kept in the groove of a section fixed under the ceiling ofa room, said section comprising an upper horizontal core extendeddownwards by a vertical central wing and two lower horizontal wingssituated on both sides of the vertical central wing, the horizontalwings constituting the lateral walls of two opposing grooves and a jointsupport for keeping the edge excess thicknesses of the fabricsstretched.

[0075] Other objects and advantages of the invention shall appear in thefollowing description of the embodiments, said description being givenwith reference to the accompanying drawings showing in cross-sectionalviews the various embodiments of the sections of the invention.

[0076] In the continuation of this description, the word “fabric” shallbe designated by webs able to be made of a material selected from thegroup comprising woven or non-woven textiles fibres, polymer films,especifically vinyl polychloride, vinydilene polychloride.

[0077] It is understood that when said web is a polymer, it could be:

[0078] provided with a silk screen printing or ink jet numericalprinting,

[0079] translucent or opaque, possibly tinted in the mass so as to havea wide variety of tints,

[0080] provided with a matt, lacquered, marbled, suede or satin lustrefinish,

[0081] provided with a flock coating to give it a velvet or fabricaspect. The surface of the fabric is for example coated with a suitableadhesive for finely cut textile fibres, the flock fibres being appliedby sieving and beating or pressure projection, or even by electrostaticmeans when it is desired to obtain a high density of fibres,

[0082] provided with holes, micro-perforations and/or micro-reliefs, forexample constituted by planishing and/or coated with an anti-reflectingcoating so as to improve its acoustic properties, in particular itsacoustic absorption coefficient.

[0083] When said web is made of a polymer, its thickness is typicallybetween several tenths of a millimeter and several millimeters.

[0084] The fabric kept tensioned can be effected by assembling severalcloth identical widths, especially as regards their colours, tints,surface aspects, finish, printing and dimension.

[0085] Thus, for example many widths of polymer sheets of differentwidths and tints can be assembled by butt welding so as to constitute acameo.

[0086] Spotlight frames, passages for sprinklers or pipes can be fixedby known means through the stretched fabric.

[0087] After having set forth these general points, several embodimentsof the invention shall hereafter be described.

[0088] First, reference is made to FIG. 1.

[0089]FIG. 1 shows the extreme portion of a false ceiling comprising afabric 1 stretched horizontally under a ceiling 2 of a room. Said fabric1 is fixed along its edges to a support comprising a rail section 3fixed to the upper portion of a wall 4 of the room by fixing means (notshown), such as screws.

[0090] The rail section 3 comprises an external wing 5, approximatelyvertical and extending parallel to the wall 4 and close to the latter.Projecting from said external wing 5 is a core 6 approximately extendingover a short distance, for example about several millimeters towards theinside of the room.

[0091] In the embodiment shown, the core 6 extends approximately to halfthe height of the external wing 5. In other embodiments (not shown),said core 6 is situated closer to the upper extreme edge 5 a or thelower extreme edge 5 b of the external wing 5.

[0092] The core 6 bears, on an approximately vertical projection, aninternal wing 7 provided with a rounded lower extremity 8. Said internalwing 7 is approximately parallel to the lower section 9 of the externalwing 5 so that a groove 10 with a U-shaped section opened towards thebottom is defined by the internal wing 7, the core 6 and the lowersection 9 of the external wing 5.

[0093] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the internal wing 7 extendsover a height h7 smaller than that h9 off the lower section 9 of theexternal wing 5. In other embodiments (not shown), the height h7 isapproximately equal to the height h9 or slightly greater than thelatter.

[0094] The edge of the fabric 1 bears, at least in certain places, anexcess thickness 11. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, said excess thickness11 is a snap ring fixed for example by welding onto the fabric 1. Inother embodiments (not shown), said excess thickness is shown as a crosssection in the form of a hook extending towards the wall 4 and opentowards the bottom. Said hook can for example be made of a semi-flexibleextruded polymer and comprise a proximal portion for linking to thefabric 1, and a curved distal portion. According to another variant,said excess thickness could have a fish-hook shaped cross section.

[0095] As it shall be apparent to an expert in this field, the sectionsof the invention may be used without particularly adapting the maintypes fixing means secured to the edges of the stretched fabrics.

[0096] The lower section 9 of the external wing 5 bears a slanted joint12.

[0097] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, said joint 12 comprises a first lip13 inside the groove 10 and approximately in support against theinternal wing 7, and a flap 14 outside the groove 10 plated against thewall 4, the first lip 13 and flap 14 being approximately aligned andplaced along an angle of 45° with respect to the external wing 5. Thefirst lip 13 approximately blocks off the groove 10, whereas the flap 14closes the interval I separating the external wing 5 and the wall 4. Thejoint and the flap hide the material constituting the external wing 5 ofthe section from the view of any observer in the room.

[0098] In other embodiments, not shown, the first lip 13 and the flap 14are not aligned. For example, the first lip 13 is slanted with respectto the external wing 5 by an angle smaller than the angle of inclinationof the flap 14 with respect to said external wing 5.

[0099] In other embodiments, the joint 12 comprises no flap 14, theexternal wing 5 being in direct support on the wall 4.

[0100] The fabric 1, when it is fixed on the section 3, is introducedinto the groove 10 by taking support on the rounded extremity 8 of theinternal wing 7. Owing to this, the fabric 1 slides onto said roundedportion 8 without any risk of being damaged.

[0101] The fabric 1 is kept in place by being pinched between the firstlip 13 of the joint 12 and the internal wing 7 of the groove 10. Ifnecessary, the fabric can be also be kept in place or mainly by takingsupport on the excess thickness 11 against the internal face 15 of theinternal wing 7 and against the internal face 16 of the first lip 13 ofthe joint 12.

[0102] In another embodiment (not shown), the excess thickness is keptsqueezed between the internal face of the internal wing of the internalface of the external wing.

[0103] Placing the excess thickness 11 inside the groove 10 can becarried out for example by using a spatula so as make the excessthickness 11 pass between the first lip 13 of the joint 12 and theinternal wing 7 and thus bring it into the groove 10 above the joint 12.

[0104] The first lip 13 of the joint 12 seals off the groove 10 andrenders it undetectable to an occupant of the room who is looking at theceiling from a normal distance.

[0105] In the embodiment shown on FIG. 1, the external wing 5 is placedat a short distance from the wall 4 by means of projections 17. Thisarrangement makes it possible for air to penetrate into the space Edefined by the fabric 1 and the ceiling 2, the section 3 being providedwith venting holes 18, the flap being also provided, here and there withtraversing holes. In one variant, the flap has sufficiently slightflexibility to enable it to become warped when excess pressure entersthe space I.

[0106] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, ventilation openings 18 areplaced both on the internal wing 7 and the external wing 5. Thus, asshall be understood by an expert in this field, the ventilation holescan be placed solely on the external wing, the groove 10 having noholes.

[0107] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the rail section 3 comprises on theinternal face 19 of the external wing 5 a groove 20 with a C-shapedcross-section. This groove 20 is designed to receive a branch of alinking square or flat piece. The linking square makes it possible toassemble in each angle of the wall two rail sections perpendicular toeach another. The linking flat piece makes it possible to butt-join therail sections.

[0108] There now follows more specifically a description of theembodiment of the joint 12.

[0109] In a first type of embodiment, the joint 12 is pre-assembled onthe extreme portion 5 a of the external wing 5, for example by glueingor welding.

[0110] In a second embodiment, the joint 12 is produced with the rest ofthe rail section 3. According to a particular embodiment, the joint 12is co-extruded with the rest of the rail section 3.

[0111] Here, the term “co-extrusion” means the simultaneous extrusion ofseveral materials of the same type or totally different polymers in asingle die, the materials not being mixed. Said co-extrusion can becarried out with a single die with separate channels.

[0112] According to a first embodiment, the joint 12 is made ofpolyvinyl chloride having a greater flexibility than polyvinyl chlorideused for the rest of the rail section 3. This difference in flexibilitycan be obtained by using different plastifying agent contents, saidplastifying agents able to be esters resulting from the action of monoor polybasic, aliphatic or aromatic acids. For example, said plastifyingagents shall be phtalic (diotylephtalate, diisonosylphtalate) acidesters, adipic (butyl adipate, octyle adipate, diisonolyl adipate,benzyleoctyl adipate, acid esters, debacic (butyl sebacate, octylsebacate) acid esters, phosphoric acid esters. These plastifying agentscan be combined with sebacic, adipic or adipic-phtalic acid polyesters,or synthesis elastomers of butadiene copolymer and acrylic nitrile type.

[0113] For example, the joint 12 could be made of a flexible PVC chargedwith a 60% plastifying agent, the remaining of the rail being in rigidPVC charged with a 10% plastifying agent. The table below shows thedifferences of mechanical properties between the flexible PVCs(typically above 60 parts for 100 parts of PVC resin) and the rigid PVCs(typically less than 30 parts for 100 parts of resin). ResistanceElongation Stress on to rupture Modulus of on traction traction on com-elasticity Density rupture rupture pression on bending Property (g/cm3)(%) (Mpa) (Mpa) (Mpa) Flexible 1.2 200-450 10-25  6-12 <2000 PVC RigidPVC 1.3-1.4  2-80 40-60 60-90   2000-3500

[0114] According to other embodiments, the joint 12 is made of polyvinylchloride and the rest of the rail is made of polyethylene, impactpolystyrene or styrene butadiene acrylonitrile.

[0115] The joint 12 could be coloured, tinted or brightnessy or have adifferent aspect from that of the rest of the rail section.

[0116] In one type of embodiment, the joint 12 is coloured, tinted orbrightnessy and has an aspect closely related or coordinated with thefabric 1 so that the hook exhibits uniformity or has continuity ofaspect with the fabric. As the rest of the rail is hidden from view, itcould have a standard aspect and be made of a recycled or inferiormaterial so as to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0117] In one particular embodiment, the joint 12 and/or the rest of therail can be constituted by a two-grade material, namely a centralportion of a lesser grade material and an elaborate aspect skin for allthe visible portions, said skin being obtained by co-extrusion orflocking or by combining co-extrusion and flocking.

[0118] In one particular embodiment, the first lip 13 of the joint 12 ismade of a polymer having a different nature or flexibility than those ofthe flap 14 of said joint 12. Thus for example, the flap 14 of the joint12 shall be highly flexible so as to counterbalance all theirregularities in the surface evenness of the wall 4, whereas the firstlip 13 of the joint 12 shall exhibit at least a high flexibility so asto keep the fabric 1 firm inside the groove 12 of the rail 3.

[0119] In one particular embodiment, the joint 12 is made of a polymer,the remaining portion of the rail being made of a metal alloy, both ofthese elements being obtained by duplicate moulding. Thus, it ispossible to obtain both straight and curved sections.

[0120] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates one embodimentvariant, the elements similar to those described above being designatedby the same numerical references. The means for fixing the rail againstthe wall and/or the ceiling, such as screws, are not shown.

[0121] The main differences between the embodiment of FIG. 2 and that ofFIG. 1 are as follows in the variant of FIG. 2:

[0122] the flap 14 approximately marries the wall 4 against which theexternal wing 5 of the section 3 is plated,

[0123] the upper portion of the external wing 5 is plated against theceiling 2 so that the groove 20 is open towards the bottom.

[0124] The mounting of the fabric 1 on the rail 3 or assembling togetherof the rail portions by squares or linking rectangular bars as describedwith reference to FIG. 1 can be transposed to the embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0125] Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a detailed view of anembodiment variant of the joint 12. In this embodiment variant, thejoint 12 comprises a first lip 13 slanted by an angle of about 45° withrespect to the external wing 5, a flap 14 intended to take supportagainst a surface such as a wall, and a second lip 21 whose lower faceis approximately placed in the prolongation of the stretched fabric 1.

[0126] The second lip 21 lessens further the visual impact of the railsection 3 and makes it almost undetectable, especially when the visibleface of said lip 21 is made of a material having the colour, tint orbrightness of the stretched fabric 1.

[0127] Reference is now made to FIG. 4.

[0128] In the embodiment variant of FIG. 4, the joint 12 comprises afirst lip 13 slanted with respect to the external wing 5, a second lip21 approximately perpendicular to the external wing 5 and a flap 14.

[0129] According to one particular embodiment, the joint 12 is made of amonomaterial, for example, a flexible PVC, co-extruded with the rest ofthe section 3 which is made of a rigid PVC.

[0130] In another embodiment, the joint 12 is duplicate moulded onto theexternal wing 5, said wing 5 being made for example of a metal alloy,such as an aluminium alloy.

[0131] Again, in a further embodiment, the joint 12 shown on FIG. 4includes a material of lesser grade in the middle, for example arecycled PVC and a material with an elaborate surface aspect, especiallyfor the lower visible face of the joint 12, this two-grade structureable to be obtained by co-extrusion.

[0132] If necessary, the second lip 21 and flap 14 are made of or coatedwith a material having a similar aspect or coordinated with that of thevisible face 22 of the fabric 1.

[0133] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the C-shaped groove making itpossible to mount the linking rectangular bars or squares betweensuccessive sections is placed protruding onto the internal face 24 ofthe internal wing 7. of course, the arrangement of said C-shaped groovecould, in a variant, be as shown on FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0134] As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the hip-joint 14 shown on FIG. 4can be provided in certain places with airing traversing holes.

[0135] The excessive thickness 11 in the shape of a hook in FIG. 4 can,in one embodiment variant, be kept tight in the groove 10 by beingsupported against the internal face 15 of the internal wing and againstthe internal face of the external wing 9.

[0136] Reference is now made to FIG. 5.

[0137] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the section 3 made of a bimaterialcomprises a joint 12 duplicate moulded or co-extruded onto the externalthe wing 5 of the edge of a groove with a P-shaped section. The edge ofthe fabric 1 comprises an already known “fish-hook” hooked against theextreme edge of the internal wing of the rail section, said extreme edgebeing approximately placed perpendicular to the external wing 5. Thejoint plates the fabric 1 against the internal wing 5 and masks theopening of the groove 10. The fish-hook is introduced for example withspatula and manoeuvred along the arrow F of FIG. 5.

[0138] Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which illustrates an embodimentvariant in which the excess thickness 11 placed on the edge of thefabric 1 is plated under the effect of the joint 12 into a specificreserved space 24 in the internal wing 7 of the rail section 3.

[0139]FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates the placing of a snap ring inan angle section between two walls, the angle section comprising twoduplicate moulded or co-extruded joints 25, 26.

[0140] The embodiments diagrammatized on FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 relate tosections comprising two grooves in each of which the edge of a fabriccan be placed and kept in place.

[0141] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the angle section 30 comprises twoexternal wings 27, 28 fixed against two approximately perpendicularwalls, said fixing being obtained by means (not shown), such as screwsor the like. The angle section moreover comprises a central wing 31extending approximately at 45° with respect to the external wings 27,28. Two pseudo U-shaped cross-sectional grooves 10 with bent inward basewall are thus formed, an excess thickness 11 integral with the edge of afabric 1 able to be introduced inside said grooves and kept in place bymeans of joints 12 in a way similar to the way described with referenceto the preceding figures. So as to avoid any possible problems occurringrelating to an irregularity of the angle line 32 defined by the twowalls, the section 3 comprises an indentation 33.

[0142] The angle profile diagrammatized on FIG. 9, like that of FIG. 8,comprises two grooves 10 but in which their cross-section is shaped likea straight U, a intermediate wing with a T-shaped section protrudingfrom one of the external wings of the 1 section.

[0143] In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the angle section 3 comprises twoU-shaped grooves each defined by an external wing and an internal wing,each of the wings bearing a joint 12 slanted towards the inside of thegroove, the edge of the fabrics placed in the grooves 10 including afish-hook able to take support against the internal face of the jointsFIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a section 3 for the wall angle, theplacing and support of the edges of the fabric being obtained in asimilar way to the one already described with reference to FIGS. 8 to10.

[0144] Reference is now made to FIG. 12 which diagrammaticallyillustrates an embodiment of the section in which the joint 12 is borneby the internal wing of the groove 10. When the joint 12 is obtained byduplicate moulding on an internal wing 7 made of a metal alloy, it ispossible, as shown, to provide that the material constituting the joint“projects” onto the external face or the internal face of the internalwing 7 and over a portion of its height h7.

[0145] In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the groove 10 of the section has apseudo U-shaped cross-section, its two lateral walls being slantedinwardly, the width of the groove decreasing from its base wall 6 to itsopening. Each lateral wall 5, 7 bears a joint 12 derived from duplicatemoulding or co-extruded with the rest of the section 3. The base wall 6of the groove 10 bears protruding in certain places or over the entirelength of the section 3 a ductile element 40 forming a cradle forreceiving and catching a snap ring 11 integral with the edge of thefabric 1. The keeping of the fabric in position inside the section isthus obtained via the combined action of:

[0146] the general elasticity of the walls 5, 7 of the section, thesewalls being for example made of a metal alloy or a rigid polymer andacting via their geometry in the way of a clamp;

[0147] the support of the snap ring 11 against the joints 12, thefreeing of the snap ring involving a significant warping of these joints12;

[0148] the resistance of catching of the snap ring 11 in the piece 40.

[0149] In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the section is an E-shapedcross-section, each of the two grooves 10 of the section being providedwith a joint as shown as a reference on FIG. 12.

[0150] In, the embodiment of FIG. 15, a variant of the embodimentdescribed with reference to FIG. 12, the groove 10 of the section isdefined firstly by an internal wing 7 and secondly by the wall on whichsaid section 3 is fixed. The joint 12 is of the type of the onedescribed with reference to FIG. 12 and the section is provided with aC-shaped groove for mounting squares or flat parts of the general typeshown on FIG. 1.

[0151] As diagrammatised by the lines 1 a, 1 b on FIG. 15, in theembodiment of FIG. 15, the fabric 1 is not necessarily stretchedperpendicular to the fixing wall of the section 3, but can be slanted (1a) or approximately parallel to the latter (1 b).

[0152] The rail sections described above can be used for stretchedfabric structures for decoration, masking or display, especially falseceilings, false walls in hospital and industrial environments or forcollective equipment, and modern or historical dwellings.

1. Rail section for stretched fabric false partitions, said section (3)comprising at least one groove (10) defined by two lateral walls (5, 7)and a base wall (6), said groove (10) being designed to contain at leastone edge of the stretched fabric (1) after it has been mounted in thesection (3), characterised in that being of a single piece, said railsection (3) comprises a joint (12) for keeping the edge of the stretchedfabric (1) in said groove (10), said joint (12) being made of a materialhaving a flexibility differing from that of the material constitutingthe walls (5, 6, 7) of said groove (10).
 2. Rail section according toclaim 1, characterised in that the cross-section of said groove (10) isin general shaped like a V or U, the extreme portions of the lateralwalls (5, 7) of the groove (10) opposite the base wall (6) of the groove(10) defining an opening at least partially sealed off by the joint (12)for retaining the edge of the stretched fabric (1).
 3. Rail sectionaccording to claim 2, characterised in that the joint (12) comprises asingle lip (13) protruding from one of the lateral walls (5, 7) of saidgroove (10), known as a joint support wall, said lip (13) comprising aninternal face (16) opposite the base wall (6) of the groove (10) and anopposing external face.
 4. Rail section according to claim 3,characterised in that the lip joint (12) is an approximately flat joint,the internal face (16) of the lip (13) being approximately parallel toits external face.
 5. Rail section according to claim 4, characterisedin that the single lip (13) of the joint (12) extends approximatelyperpendicularly to its support wall (5, 7).
 6. Rail section according toclaim 4 or 5, characterised in that the free edge of the lip (13) isplaced inside the groove (10).
 7. Rail section according to one of clams4 to 6, characterised in that the free edge of the lip (13) isapproximately in support against the lateral wall of the groove (10)placed opposite the joint support wall.
 8. Rail section according toclaim 3 or 4, characterised in that the sole lip (13) of the joint (12)extends along an angle of less than 65° with respect to its supportwall.
 9. Rail section according to claim 8, characterised in that thefree edge of the lip is placed inside the groove (10).
 10. Rail sectionaccording to claim 9, characterised in that the free edge of the lip isapproximately is support is against the lateral wall of the groove (10)placed opposite the joint support wall.
 11. Rail section according toone of claims 3 to 10, characterised in that the single lip projectsfrom the extreme portion of its support wall.
 12. Rail section accordingto one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the lip of the jointcomprises an internal face orientated towards the base wall (6) of thegroove (10) and an external opposing face, the internal face and theexternal face of the joint (12) not being parallel to each another. 13.Rail section according to claim 12, characterised in that the internalface of the single lip of the joint extends approximately perpendicularto its support wall.
 14. Rail section according to claim 12 or 13,characterised in that the free edge of the lip is placed inside thegroove (10).
 15. Rail section according to one of claims 12 to 14,characterised in that the free edge of the lip is approximately insupport against the lateral wall of the groove placed opposite thesupport wall of the joint.
 16. Rail section according to claim 12 or 13,characterised in that the internal face (16) of the single lip (13) ofthe joint (12) extends along an angle less than 65° with respect to itssupport wall (5, 7).
 17. Rail section according to claim 16,characterised in that the free edge of the lip is placed inside thegroove (10).
 18. Rail section according to claim 17, characterised inthat the free edge of lip (13) is approximately in support against thelateral wall of the groove placed opposite the joint support wall. 19.Rail section according to one of claims 12 to 18, characterised in thatthe single lip (13) projects from the extreme portion of its supportwall (5, 7).
 20. Rail section according to one of claims 12 to 19,characterised in that the external face of the sole lip (13) of thejoint (12) extends approximately perpendicular to the lateral walls (5,7), of the groove (10).
 21. Rail section according to claim 1 or 2,characterised in that the joint comprises two lips (13, 21), projectingfrom one of the lateral walls (5, 7) of said groove (10), said jointsupport wall, namely a first lip (13) known as a support lip, and asecond lip (21) known as a masking lip, the internal face (16) of thefirst lip (13) orientated towards the base wall (6) of the groove (10)being slanted with respect to the joint support wall, the external face(22) of the second lip (21) opposite the base wall (6) of the groove(10) being approximately perpendicular to the joint support wall. 22.Rail section according to claim 21, characterised in that the free edgeof the first lip (13) is in support against the lateral wall of thegroove placed opposite the joint support wall.
 23. Rail sectionaccording to claim 21 or 22, characterised in that the internal face(16) of the first lip (13) is slanted by an angle of less than 65° withrespect to the joint support wall.
 24. Rail section according to one ofclaims 21 to 23, characterised in that the two lips (13, 21) projectfrom the extreme portion of the joint support wall.
 25. Rail sectionaccording to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the joint comprises twolips, each lip projecting from one of the lateral walls of said grooveand comprising an internal face opposite the base wall of the groove andan external opposing face.
 26. Rail section according to claim 25,characterised in that the two lips are approximately symmetrical withrespect to a plane perpendicular to the base wall of the groove andplaced halfway from the two lateral walls of the groove.
 27. Railsection according to claim 25 or 26, characterised in that the internalface of at least one of the two lips is slanted by an angle of less than65° with respect to the lateral support wall of said lip.
 28. Railsection according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterised in that theexternal face of at least one of the two lips extends approximatelyperpendicular to the support wall of said lip.
 29. Rail sectionaccording to one of claims 2 to 28, characterised in that the lateralwalls (5, 7) of the groove (10) are made of an approximately rigidmaterial selected from the group comprising metal alloys and rigidpolymers, the joint (12) being made of a substantially flexiblematerial, such as a flexible polymer.
 30. Rail section according to oneof claims 1 to 29, characterised in that it is obtained by co-extrusionor duplicate moulding of different materials, namely a first materialconstituting the substantially rigid walls (5, 6, 7) of the groove (10),and a second material constituting the joint (12).
 31. Rail sectionaccording to claim 30, characterised in that the walls (5, 6, 7) of thegroove (10) are made of a rigid PVC-based material, possibly recycled,the joint (12) being made of a flexible PVC.
 32. Rail section accordingto one of claims 1 to 31, characterised in that it comprises an externalwing (5) from which protrudes perpendicularly is a core (6) bearingprojecting an internal wing (7), said internal wing (7) beingapproximately parallel to the lower portion (9) of the external wing(5), the internal wing (7) and the lower section (9) of the externalwing (5) forming the lateral walls of said groove, the core (6) of therail section constituting the base wall of said groove, the upperportion of the external wing comprising a C-shaped groove (20) able toreceive means for assembling the two portions of the butt rail sections.33. False wall comprising a stretched fabric fixed along its edges to asupport fixed onto the walls of a room, said support comprising a railformed of portions of sections as shown in one of the preceding claims,characterised in that the edge of said fabric (1) is provided with anexcess thickness (11) taking support against the internal face of thejoint.
 34. False wall as shown in claim 33 and used as a false ceiling,the groove (10) for the rail section being oriented downwards, thelateral walls (5, 7) of the groove (10) being approximately vertical, afirst lateral wall of the groove (10) being mounted close to a wall (4)and the second lateral wall of the groove being situated towards theinside of the room, the joint (12) extending projecting from the lowerextreme portion of the first lateral wall, the excess thickness (11) ofthe edge of the fabric (1) being forcefully introduced upwards betweenthe free edge of the joint and the second lateral wall of the groove(10) so that said excess thickness (11) takes support both against theinternal face of the joint and the internal face of the second lateralwall of the groove, the fabric stretched horizontally being thusdeviated upwards so as to penetrate into the groove of the rail sectionwhilst taking support on the lower extreme edge of the second lateralwall of the groove.
 35. False wall according to claim 34, characterisedin that the two lateral walls (5, 7) of the groove (10) haveapproximately identical heights, the external face of the joint beingplaced approximately perpendicular to said lateral walls, and thus inthe continuity of the stretched fabric (1).
 36. False wall according toclaim 34, characterised in that the two lateral walls (5, 7,) of thegroove (10) have different heights, the first lateral wall of the grooveclose to the wall (4) being of smaller height than the second lateralwall, the external face of the joint being slanted by an angle so as toform a continuity solution between the extension plane of the stretchedfabric and the lower extremity of the first lateral wall.
 37. False wallaccording to one of claims 34 to 36, characterised in that the externalface of the joint is made of a material exhibiting a colour, tint orbrightness identical to or coordinated with those of the stretchedfabric, the rest of the rail section being of standard colour, tint andbrightness.
 38. False wall according to one of claims 34 to 37,characterised in that the lower extremity (8) of the second lateral wallof the groove (10) under which the stretched fabric takes support isrounded.
 39. False wall according to one of claims 34 to 37,characterised in that it comprises two coplanar horizontally stretchedfabrics, the edges of said two stretched fabrics being retained inside agroove of a rail section fixed under the ceiling of a room, said railsection comprising an upper horizontal core prolongated downwards by avertical central wing and two other lower horizontal wings situated onboth sides of the vertical central wing, the horizontal wingsconstituting the lateral walls of two opposing grooves and a jointsupport for retaining the excess thicknesses of the edges of the twostretched fabrics.